Device for generating time signals

ABSTRACT

Device for generating time signals to be supplied to indicator units which digitally indicate the time in terms of hour and minute. The device has an hour shaft rotated intermittently at intervals of 60 minutes so that it rotates one complete revolution during 24 hours, and a minute shaft rotated by one revolution per 60 minutes. An hour contact mounting plate having a plurality of contacts mounted on both sides thereof and a minute contact mounting plate having a plurality of contacts mounted on both sides thereof are secured to the hour shaft and the minute shaft, respectively. A pair of printed hour pattern mounting plates and a pair of printed minute pattern mounting plates are located on either side of the hour and minute contact mounting plates, respectively. Annular segmental conducting portions on the pattern mounting plates cooperate with the respective contacts of the contact mounting plates so that a potential continuously applied to one conducting portion is intermittently applied to lead-out conductors connected to the remaining conducting portions through said contacts. The patterns on the pattern mounting plates are such that the resulting signals on the lead-out conductors are in a code suitable for application to the indicator units.

United States Patent Kimura et al.

[73] Assignee: Kabushikikaisha CopaLTokyo,

Japan [22] Filed: Apr. 24, I974 [21] Appl. No.: 463,526

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation in-part of Ser No.27l.705, July l4.

I972, abandoned [30] Foreign Application Priority Data July l9. l97lJapan 46-6356l [52] US. Cl 58/50 R; 340/338; 58/23 R [5 l] Int. CL,1G04b [9/30 [58] Field of Search 318/600-602;

307/l06, [32 R. l4l; 235/96, 92; 58/23 R.

23 A, 23 AC, 23 V, 23 D, 24 R 33, 50 R;

206/38 CA, l4 11 BA; 340/339, 309 338 {56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2.720.6l9 10/1955 James 318/602 )4 2,958,028 lU/l960Smith 1 1 3l8/6U2 3,0l5.094 l2/l96l Reynolds 340/338 3242270 3/1966Volkenburg et a]. 200/14 X 3 456.l23 7/1969 Pihl 1 1 4 307/l4l 3585.3756/l97l Hedrick .7 235/92 R DEVICE FOR GENERATING TIME SIGNALS Inventors:Sachio Kimura; Yoshiaki Aoki, both of Tokyo, Japan 1451 Apr. 29, 1975Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant E.\'aminerU. WeldonAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Hans Berman; Kurt Kelman [57] ABSTRACT Devicefor generating time signals to be supplied to indicator units whichdigitally indicate the time in terms of hour and minute. The device hasan hour shaft rotated intermittently at intervals of 60 minutes so thatit rotates one complete revolution during 24 hours, and a minute shaftrotated by one revolution per 60 minutes. An hour contact mounting platehaving a plurality of contacts mounted on both sides thereof and aminute contact mounting plate having a plurality of contacts mounted onboth sides thereof are secured to the hour shaft and the minute shaft,respectively. A pair of printed hour pattern mounting plates and a pairof printed minute pattern mounting plates are located on either side ofthe hour and minute contact mounting plates. respectively. Annularsegmental conducting portions on the pattern mount ing plates cooperatewith the respective contacts of the contact mounting plates so that apotential continuously applied to one conducting portion isintermittently applied to lead-out conductors connected to the remainingconducting portions through said contacts The patterns on the patternmounting plates are such that the resulting signals on the lead-outconductors are in a code suitable for application to the indicatorunits,

7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures IV V T I lOe lOd PATENTEBAPRZSWS 3,879,932

SHEET 1 if 7 PATENTEDAPRZSIHYS 3.879.932

SHEET [If 7 DEVICE FOR GENERATING TIME SIGNALS This application is acontinuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 271,705,filed July 14, 1972, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a devicefor generating binary code signals to be supplied to indicator unitswhich digitally indicate the time in terms of hour and minute.

We have disclosed a device of the type described in US. Pat. No.3,756,016. The device disclosed in this patent is provided with aplurality of cams adapted to be rotated a revolution per 24 hours andper 60 minutes and the corresponding number of switches each cooperatingwith the respective cam, the condition of the combination of contactingand non-contacting states of the switches as actuated by the respectivecams being utilized as binary code signals supplied to the binarycircuit so as to indicate digitally the time in terms of hour andminute. Since the device incorporates a plurality of cams and switches,the device requires a relatively large space making it difficult toconstruct the device compact while the manufacture of the device is madedifficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims at the improvementof the device described above.

The object of the present invention is to provide a novel and usefuldevice of the type described above which is compact and simple inconstruction and easily manufactured.

The above object is achieved in accordance with the present invention bythe provision of a device for generating binary code signals in a binarycircuit for indicating the time in terms of hour and minute,characterized by a plurality of annular patterns having projectingportions which are formed on printed pattern mounting plates and acorresponding number of contacts mounted on contact mounting plates andeach cooperating with the respective patterns so as to obtain thecombination of contacting and non-contacting states utilized as thebinary code signals, either of the printed pattern mounting plates orthe contact mounting plates being rotated a revolution per 24 hours and60 minutes so that the time is indicated digitally in terms of hour andminute by means of the indicator units supplied with the binary codesignals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showingan embodiment of the device for generating signals constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIGSv 2 to are fragmentary views showing the configuration of variouspatterns on the printed pattern mounting plates of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 beingshown as seen from line IIII, FIG. 3 shown as seen from line III-III,FIG. 4 shown as seen from line lV-IV, and FIG. 5 shown as seen from lineVV. respectively;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary views showing the arrangement of thecontacts mounted on the contact mounting plates of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 beingshown as seen from line VI-VI, and FIG. 7 shown as seen from lineVIIVII, respectively;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing binary code for indicating the numeral inthe figure of tens of hour, the numeral in the figure of ones of hour,and numeral in the figure of tens of minute, and the numeral in thefigure of ones of minute, respectively;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the combination of contacting andnon-contacting states of the contacts for indicating the time; and

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the prior art indicator units as connectedto the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Before proceeding to adetailed discussion of the pre ferred embodiment of the presentinvention, its interconnection with the prior indicator units will beshown in brief with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 shows four standardseven seqment indicators, 101-104. Each segment, 0, b, c, d, 2.1", g(shown for unit 104 but of course identical in all other units),furnishes a visual output when a voltage is applied to the correspondinginput line. The indication of each digit from O to 9 is achieved byapplying voltages to all segments together constituting the desireddigit. For example, the digit 3" would be formed by applying voltage toinput lines a, b, c, d, g. The signals on lines a-g are thus signals inan n out of seven" code.

Since an n out of seven code is often inconvenient to the user,commercial indicator units are available which have a decoder associatedwith each seven segment indicator to convert a readily available codesuch as a binarycoded decimal code, into an n out of seven code. Suchdecoders are numbered 101A to 104A in FIG. 10. The complete indicatorunits, comprising indicators such as indicator 101 with an associateddecoder 101A, are commercially available as integrated circuit units5082-7,000, manufactured by Hewlett Packard. Alternatively. indicatorsand decoders can be purchased as separate units, indicators numbered5082-7731 being compatible with decoders 9370.

Switch SW, of FIG. 10 represents a latch in the commercially availableunits which may be energized to short-circuit an indicator briefly toavoid flicker during transitions from one number to the next. Neitherthe above-described indicator units nor this latch consti tute a part ofthe present invention and are here described only to provide thebackground for facilitating the understanding of the latterv Also shownin FIG. 10 is a bank of switches 105, interconnected between a +5 voltsource and the inputs to the decoders in such a manner that thedetermined potential of 5 volts is applied to a corresponding input uponclosing of a switch. Unit 105 may thus be considered apparatus forfurnishing the code signals for the known indicator units. The presentinvention is such apparatus. In particular, in a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, the code signals are in binary-coded decirnal form aswill be discussed in detail with reference to FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 8, the binary codes of the present invention are soset that the numerals 0, l, 2 in the figure of tens of hour in the caseof a 24 hour indicating device are indicated by the binary codes 00, 01and 10, respectively, and the numerals 0, I, 2, 9 in the figure of onesof hour are indicated by the binary codes 0000, 0001, 0010,0011,0100,0110, 1001. respectively. In like manner, the numerals 0, l, 2, 5in the figure of tens of minute are indicated by the binary codes 000,001, 010, 101, respectively, and the numerals 0, l, 2, 9 in the figureof ones of minute are indicated by the binary codes 0000, 0001, 0010,001 l. 1001, respectively. The code is given by the non-contacting stateof the Contact mounted on the contact mounting plate with the annularpattern formed on the printed pattern mounting plate while the code l isgiven by the contacting state of the contact with the pattern asdescribed hereinafter.

Referring now to FIGv l, a motor 1 is connected to a minute shaft 2 soas to rotate the same by one revolution per 60 minutes. An intermittentdriving mechanism 3 is connected to the minute shaft 2 so as to bedriven thereby, and the intermittent driving mechanism 3 is connected toan hour shaft 4 so that the same is intermittently rotated by a givenangle each time the minute shaft 2 rotates one revolution so as to bedriven by one revolution per 24 hours.

A suitable intermittent driving mechanism is to be found in U.S. Pat.No. 3,456,123 (Pihl), FIGS. 2 and 3 and the corresponding description incolumns 2-3. Specifically, activator 22 of Pihl is mounted on minuteshaft 2 of FIG. I. The hour shaft of the present invention thencorresponds to shaft 26 of rotor A, where notches 40 of rotor A arespaced to cause rotor A to complete l/24 of a revolution per revolutionof actua tor 22.

Again referring to FIG. 1, an hour contact mounting plate 5 is securedto the hour shaft 4 and three contacts 6a, 6b and 6(- for determiningthe numeral in the figure of tens of hour are mounted on one side 5a ofthe plate 5 and electrically connected to each other while five contacts7a, 7b 7e for determining the numeral in the figure of ones of hour aremounted on the other side 5b of the plate 5 and electrically connectedto each other.

A minute contact mounting plate 8 is secured to the minute shaft 2 andfour contacts 9a, 9b 9d for de termining the numeral in the figure oftens of minute are mounted on one side 8a of the plate 8 andelectrically connected to each other while five contacts 10a, 10b l0efor determining the numeral in the figure of ones of minute are mountedon the other side 8b of the plate 8 and electrically connected to eachother. The electrical connection of the contacts to each other may beachieved by using printed short-circuiting pattern 11 formed on thecontact mounting plate as shown in FIG. 7, for example.

A first stationary printed hour pattern mounting plate 12 is supportedon the stationary structure of the device represented only by thehousing of the motor I, and coaxial with the hour contact mounting plate5 so as to face against the side 5a of the plate 5 so that the contacts6a. 6b. 6c slidably contact with the side of the plate 12.

Before the patterns on the minute and hour pattern mounting plates arediscussed in detail, reference should be made to FIGS. 6 and 7. Anexample of the actual arrangement of the contacts with respect to therespective patterns is shown in FIGS. 6, 7 in which the contacts 70, 7eof the hour contact mounting plate 5 are shown cooperating with thepatterns 17, 18, 21 of the hour pattern mounting plate 16.

Lead wires 33, 34, 37 are connected to the patterns 17, 18, 21,respectively. The lead wire 33 leading to the pattern 17 constitutesmeans for applying a determined potential to the primary conductingportion, the primary conductiong portion covering 360 being annulus 17.Lead-out conductors 34-37 are connected to patterns 18-21 respectively.Since contacts 7a-7e are all at the same potential (see FIG. 7) andcontact 7a is always directly in electrical contact with annulus 17, allcontacts carry a 5 volt potential. This 5 volt potential is transferredto a lead-out conductor whenever one of contacts 7b-7e makes electricalcontact with a projection (annular segmental conducting portion) of itsassociated annulus. Separate switching circuits 33-34, 33-35, 33-36 and33-37 using contacts -72 as activators (see unit 105, FIG. 10) are thuscreated. In order to prevent the mutual interference with the otherswitching circuits, diodes 38, 39, 41 are provided in the respectiveswitching circuits 33-34, 33-35, 33-37 in the forward direction.

The hour and minute patterns will now be discussed in detail. Referringfirst to FIG. 2, three annular printed hour patterns 13, 14, 15 forcooperating with the contacts 6a, 6b, 66, respectively, are formed onthe side of the plate l2 facing to the plate 5. The pattern 13 is in theannular form contacting at all times with the contact 6a, while thepattern 14 has a projecting portion so that the contact 6b is brought tocontacting state only when the projecting portion 140 contacts with theContact 6b during the rotation of the plate 5 corresponding to the code1 in the first row of the figure of tens of hour in FIG. 8, while, whenthe contact 6b is in non-contacting state with the pattern 14, the code0 is given in the first row. The projecting portion 14a has an angularrange of 60 beginning at 300 and ending at 360 as measured in theanticlockwise direction from the top 0 in FIG. 2.

In like manner, the pattern 15 has a projecting portion in the range ofl50-300 so as to bring the cooperating contact 6(' in contacting statecorresponding to the code l in the second row in the figure of tens ofhour in FIG. 8. When the contact 60 is in noncontacting state in theremaining range of angle of rotation of the plate 5, i.e., the range of300150, the code 0" is given in the second row.

The binary code 00" determines the numeral 0" in the figure of tens ofhour and the binary code 01 determines the numeral 1", while the binarycode 10" determines the numeral 2" in the figure of tens of hour.

A second stationary printed hour pattern mounting plate 16 isstationarily supported coaxially with the hour contact mounting plate 5so as to face against the side 5b of the plate 5 so that the contacts70, 7b, 7e slidingly contact with the plate 16.

As shown in FIG. 3, five printed annular hour patterns l7, l8, 21cooperating with the contacts 70, 7b, 7e, respectively, formed on theside of the plate 16 facing to the plate 5. The pattern 17 is in theannular form contacting at all times with the contact 70. The pattern 18has two projections 18a, 18b so that the contact 7b is brought tocontacting state to give the code l in the first row corresponding tothe numerals "8" and 9" in the figure of ones of hour when theprojecting portions 18a, 18b contact with the contact 7b, while, whenthe contact 7b is in the non-contacting state, the code 0" in the firstrow is given correspondingly to the numerals 0", I, 7" in the figure ofones of hour.

To this end, the projecting portions 18a, 18b are located in the rangeof l20-l50 and the range of 270-300.

In like manner, the pattern 19 has two projecting portions 190, 19b sothat the code 1" is given in the second row correspondingly to thenumerals 4" to 7 in the figure of ones of hour when the projectingportions 19a, 18b contact with the contact 70, while, when the contact71 is in non-contacting state, the code is given in the second rowcorrespondingly to the numerals 0" to 3", 8 and 9" in the figure of onesof hour. To this end, the projecting portions 190, 1% are located in therange of 60-l20 and the range of 210270.

In like manner, the pattern 20 has five projecting portions 20a, 20b,20e in the ranges of 30-60, 90-120, 180-210, 240-270, and 330-360, sothat, when the contact 7d contacts with the projecting portions 20a,20b, 20e, the code l is given in the third row correspondingly to thenumerals 2", 3", 6", 7" in the figure of ones of hour, while, when thecontact 7d is in non-contacting state, the code O is given in the thirdrow correspondingly to the numerals "0", 1", 4", 8", 9 in the figure ofones of hour.

The pattern 21 has twelve projecting portions 21a, 21b, 211 in the rangeof and spaced by the angle of 15 from each other beginning at theprojecting portion 210 located in the range of l5-30. Thus, when thecontact 7e is in the contacting state with the projecting portions 210,21b, 21!, the code l is given in the fourth row correspondingly to thenumerals 1", 3", 5", 7" and 9" in the figure of ones of hour, while,when the contact 7e is in non-contacting state, the code "0" is given inthe fourth row correspondingly to the numerals 0, 2, 4", 6" and 8" inthe figure of ones of hour.

A first stationary printed minute pattern mounting plate 22 isstationarily supported coaxially with the minute contact mounting plate8 so that the contacts 90, 9b 9d of the plate 8 slidably contact withthe side of the plate 22. Four annular printed patterns 23, 24, 26 areformed on the side of the plate 22 facing against the plate 8 so thatthe contacts 90. 9b 9d contact with the patterns 23, 24 26,respectively. The pattern 23 is so shaped that it contacts with thecontact 9a at all times. The pattern 24 has a projecting portion 24a inthe range of 240-360 as shown in FIG. 4 so that, when the projectingportion 24 contacts with the contact 9b to bring it in contacting state,the code l" is given in the first row of the figure of tens of minute inFIG. 8 correspondingly to the numerals 4", 5" in the figure of tens ofminute, while, when the contact 9b is in non-contacting state, the code0" is given in the first row correspondingly to the numerals 0 to 3" inthe figure of tens of minute.

The pattern 25 has a projecting portion 250 in the range of 120-240, sothat, when the contact 9c contacts with the projecting portion 250 tobring it in contacting state, the code 1" is given in the second row ofthe figure of tens of minute in FIG. 8 correspondingly to the numerals"2, 3" in the figure of tens of minute, while, when the contact 9c is innoncontacting state, the code 0" is given in the second rowcorrespondingly to the numerals 0", l, 4, 5" in the figure of tens ofminute.

The pattern 26 has three projecting portions 260, 26b and 26c eachhaving the angular range of 60 and spaced by the angle of 60 from eachother with the projecting portion 260 located in the range of 60l asshown in FIG. 4. Thus, when the contact 9d is in contacting state, thecode l is given in the third row of the figure of tens of minutecorrespondingly to the numerals 1", 3", 5" in the figure of tens ofminute.

In like manner, a second stationary printed minute pattern mountingplate 27 is stationarily supported coaxially with the minute contactmounting plate 8 so that the contacts 10a, 10b slidably contact with theplate 27. As shown in H6. 5, five annular patterns 28, 29, 32 are formedon the side of the plate 27 so as to contact with the contacts 100, 10b,102, respectively. The pattern 28 contacts with the contact at alltimes. The pattern 29 has six projecting portions 29a, 29b, 29] eachhaving the angular range of 12 and angularly spaced by the angle of 48from each other with the projecting portion 290 positioned in the rangeof 4860. Thus, when the contact 10b is in contacting state with theprojecting portions 290, 2%, 29f, the code l is given in the first rowof the figure of ones of minute corresponding to the numerals 8", 9" inthe figure of ones of minute as shown in FIG, 8, while, when the contact10b is in non-contacting state, the code 0" is given in the first rowcorrespondingly to the numerals 0 to The pattern 30 has six projectingportions 300, 3012 30feach having the angular range of 24 and angularlyspaced by the angle of 36 from each other with the projecting portion300 located in the range of 24-48 as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, when thecontact 10(- is in contacting state, the code l is given in the secondrow of figure of ones of minute correspondingly to the numerals 4", 5,6", 7", while, when the contact 10c is in non-contacting state, the code0" is given in the second row correspondingly to the numerals 0 to 3",8, 9".

In like manner, the pattern 31 has projecting portions 310-1, 310-2,3lb-l, 3lb-2, 3lf-l, 3lf-2 located in 336-348, respectively. Thus, whenthe contact 10d contacts with the projecting portions 310-1, 310-2, 3lf-l, 31f-2, the code "1 is given in the third row of the figure of onesof minute correspondingly to the numerals 2", 3", 6, 7" in the figure ofones of minute, while, when the contact 10d is in non-contacting state,the code 0" is given in the third row correspondingly to the numerals0", 1", 4", 5,

The pattern 32 has projecting portions 320-1, 320-2, 32a-3, 320-4,3242-5, 32b-l, 32b-2, 32b-5, 32f-l, 32f-2, 32f-5 each having the angularrange of 6 and spaced by the angle of 6 from each other with theprojecting portion 320-1 located in the angular range of 6l2 as shown inH0. 5. Thus, when the contact 102 is in contacting state with theprojecting portions of the pattern 32, the code 1" is given in thefourth row of the figure of ones of minute correspondingly to thenumerals 1", "3", 5", 7", 9" in the figure of ones of minute, while,when the contact We is in noncontacting state, the code "0 is given inthe fourth row correspondingly to the numerals 0", 2", 4" "6, 8" in thefigure of ones of minute.

Since the plate 5 is rotated by the hour shaft 4 in the directionindicated by the arrow intermittently every 60 minutes so as to rotateby one revolution per 24 hours, the numeral in the figure of ones ofhour is changed every minutes so as to correctly indicate the time interms of hour.

In like manner, the numeral in the figure of tens of hour is changedevery [0 hours so as to correctly indicate the time in terms of tens ofhour by means of the switching circuits formed by the contacts 6a, 6band 6c.

Since the minute shaft 2 is rotated a revolution per 60 minutes, thetime is correctly indicated in terms of minute by means of the switchingcircuits formed by the contacts 90, 9b, 9d and the contacts 100, I01).

FIG. 1 shows the condition of the device in which all the contacts arein non-contacting conditions so that all the switching circuits are keptin opened states. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the binary codesgenerate the pulses indicating 00 hour (o'clock) 00 minutes.

The minute shaft 2 is rotated by 6 with the lapse of one minute so thatthe contacts 90, 9b, 9d and the contacts 10a, 10b, 101 are rotated by 6.Therefore, the contact We is brought to contacting state with theprojecting portion 32u-l, while the remaining contacts are kept innon-contacting states so that the time pulse is generated so as toindicate ()0 hour 01 minute. In like manner, the indication of the timeis changed in every 1 minute.

For example. the time ()5 hours 21 minutes is indicated when thecombination of the contacting and noncontacting states of the contactsare achieved in which the contacts 612, 61', 7b, 7d, 9b, 9d, b, 10c, 10dare in non-contacting states with the respective cooperating patternswhile the contact 70 contacts with the projecting portion 190 of thepattern l9, the contact 7e contacting with the projecting portion Zle ofthe pattern 2i, the contact 9c contacting with the projecting portion25a of the pattern 25, the contact IOe contacting with projectingportion 32c-l of the pattern 32.

In like manner. the time l5 hours 46 minutes is indicated by thenon-contacting states of the contacts 6b, 7b, 7d, 9c, 9d, 10b, l0e andthe contacting states of the contacts 6c, 7c, 70, 9b, 10c. 10d with theprojecting portions a, 19b, Zlb, 240, 30c, 3le-2, respectively.

The time 23 hours 59 minutes is indicated by the non-contacting statesof the contacts 66, 7b, 70, 9c, 10c, 10d and the contacting states ofthe contacts 6b, 7d, 7e, 9b, 9d, 10b, ltle with the projecting portions14a, 20c, 21]. 2401, 26c, 29f, 32f-5, respectively.

The above described device is constructed for indicating 24 hours, But.if the indication of 12 hours is desired, the pattern I5 is dispensedwith, because the numeral in the figure of tens of hour is either 0' orl not including 2, and the patterns formed on the printed hour patternmounting plate 16 are angularly magnified so that the range of 180 isextended to 360, while the hour shaft 4 is rotated one revolution per l2hours.

In the above described embodiment, the indication of 00 hour 00 minuteis given. However, if the indication of 24 hours 00 minute or 12 hours00 minute is desired in place of the above 00 hour 00 minute, theconfiguration of the patterns determining the numerals in the figure oftens of hour and in the figure of ones of hour may be modified slightly.

Although the contacts on the same side of the respective contactmounting plates are shown as being arranged in a straight line, any ofthe contacts may be located in angularly shifted position insofar as thecooperating pattern is angularly shifted by the same angle.

In the above embodiment. a single hour contact mounting plate mountingthe contacts on both sides thereof and a single minute contact mountingplate mounting the contacts on both sides thereof are used while a pairof printed hour pattern mounting plates and a pair of printed minutepattern mounting plates are provided so as to cooperate with the hourand minute contact mounting plates, respectively. However, a pair ofhour contact mounting plates each mounting the contacts on one sidethereof and a pair of minute contact mounting plates each mounting thecontacts on one side thereof may be provided.

In this case, the pair of printed hour pattern mounting plates and thepair of printed minute pattern mounting plates may be replaced by asingle hour pattern mounting plate mounting the patterns on both sidesthereof and interposed between the pair of hour contact mounting platesfor cooperating with the contacts thereof and a single minute patternmounting plate mounting the patterns on both sides thereof andinterposed between the pair of minute contact mounting plates forcooperating with the contacts thereof, respectively.

Further, the printed hour and minute pattern mounting plates may berotated together with the hour and minute shafts, respectively. whilethe hour and minute contact mounting plates are kept stationary.

In this case, the patterns on the respective sides of the hour andminute pattern mounting plates are shortcircuited while lead wires areconnected to the respective cooperating contacts.

The above described embodiment of the present invention makes itpossible to construct the device in a compact size and simple inconstruction at a low cost without requiring any complicatedadjustments.

What is claimed is:

I. In a clock furnishing a digital indication of time and having atleast 1 minute and 1 hour indicator units, each having a plurality ofinputs, each for furnishing a visual output signal signifying acorresponding digit upon application of a code signal corresponding tosaid digit to said plurality of inputs; apparatus for furnishing saidcode signal, comprising, in combination, a minute shaft; means forrotating said minute shaft a predetermined number of revolutions perhour; an hour shaft; means for rotating said hour shaft a predeterminedangle per every hour; at least one minute contact plate and one hourcontact plate, each having a plurality of conducting contact portionsseparated from each other by predetermined distances in the radialdirection; at least 1 minute pattern mounting plate associated with saidminute contact plate; at least 1 hour pattern mounting plate associatedwith said hour contact plate, each of said pattern mounting plateshaving annular segmental conducting portions spaced from each other in aradial direction at distances corresponding to said predetermineddistances separating the corresponding ones of said contacts, saidannular segmental conducting portions including a primary portioncovering 360, each contact plate and an associated pattern mountingplate being mounted in operative proximity for relative rotation, saidhour contact plate and the associated hour pattern mounting plateconstituting a pair of associated hour plates, said minute contact plateand the associated minute pattern mounting plate constituting a pair ofassociated minute plates, one of said hour plates and one of said minuteplates being mounted on said hour shaft and on said minute shaftrespectively, each of said pairs consisting of an active plate and of acontrol plate; means for applying a predetermined potential to aselected one of said conducting portions of said active hour plate andof said minute plate, said selected conducting portion being saidprimary portion when said active plate is said pattern mounting plate; aplurality of minute and hour lead-out conductors, connected to each ofthe remaining conducting portions of said active minute and hour platesrespectively; conducting means for forming substantially zero resistanceconnections among all of said conducting portions of each of saidcontrol plates, whereby rotation of said hour shaft and said minuteshaft causes, respec tively, each of said hour and minute lead-outconductors to be alternately connected to and disconnected from saidpredetermined potential, in accordance with the pattern, respectively,of said hour and minute pattern mounting plates, the signals on saidhour and minute lead-out conductors constituting, respectively, saidcode signals for energizing said hour and minute indicator units.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim I, wherein said control plates arethe rotating ones of said plates and said active plates are stationary.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said active plates aresaid minute and hour pattern mounting plates and wherein said controlplates are said minute and hour contact plates.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said plurality ofindicator units comprises a first and second indicator unit forindicating, respectively, tens and ones of hours, and a third and fourthindicator unit for indicating, respectively, tens and ones of minutes;wherein said minute and hour contact plates each have a first and secondside; wherein said contacts comprise a first and second plurality ofminute and hour contacts respectively, mounted on each of said first andsecond sides of said minute and hour contact plates respectively;wherein said at least one minute pattern mounting plate comprises afirst and second minute pattern mounting plate mounted, respectively,opposite said first and second side of said minute contact plate, eachof said minute pattern mounting plates having said annular segmentalconducting portions on the side facing said minute contact plate;wherein said at least one hour pattern mounting plate comprises a firstand second hour pattern mounting plate mounted, respectively, oppositesaid first and second side of said hour contact plate, said first andsecond hour pattern mounting plates having said annular segmentalconducting portions on the sides facing said hour contact plate; andwherein said plurality of lead-out conductors comprises a firstplurality of lead-out conductors connected to said first hour patternmounting plate for furnishing said code signals for said first indicatorunit, a second plurality of lead-out conductors connected to said secondhour pattern mounting plate for furnishing said code signals to saidsecond indicator unit, a third plurality of lead-out conductorsconnected to said first minute pattern mounting plate for furnishingsaid code signals for said third indicator unit, and a fourth pluralityof lead-out conductors connected to said second minute pattern mountingplate for furnishing said code signals for said fourth indicator unit.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said contact plates andsaid pattern mounting plates cooperate in such a manner that said first,second, third and fourth plurality of lead-out conductors each carry signals coded in a binary coded decimal code.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said indicatorunits comprises a seven segment indicator adapted to receive codesignals in an n out of seven code and a code converter for receivingsaid binary coded decimal signals and converting same to said n out ofseven code.

7. Apparatus as setforth in claim 1, wherein said digital indication isfrom gero to 24 hours; wherein said means for rotating said minute shaftcomprise means for rotating said minute shaft one revolution per hour;and wherein said means for rotating said hour shaft comprise means forrotating said hour shaft an angle of 15 once every hour.

* a: :r a:

1. In a clock furnishing a digital indication of time and having atleast 1 minute and 1 hour indicator units, each having a plurality ofinputs, each for furnishing a visual output signal signifying acorresponding digit upon application of a code signal corresponding tosaid digit to said plurality of inputs; apparatus for furnishing saidcode signal, comprising, in combination, a minute shaft; means forrotating said minute shaft a predetermined number of revolutions perhour; an hour shaft; means for rotating said hour shaft a predeterminedangle per every hour; at least one minute contact plate and one hourcontact plate, each having a plurality of conducting contact portionsSeparated from each other by predetermined distances in the radialdirection; at least 1 minute pattern mounting plate associated with saidminute contact plate; at least 1 hour pattern mounting plate associatedwith said hour contact plate, each of said pattern mounting plateshaving annular segmental conducting portions spaced from each other in aradial direction at distances corresponding to said predetermineddistances separating the corresponding ones of said contacts, saidannular segmental conducting portions including a primary portioncovering 360*, each contact plate and an associated pattern mountingplate being mounted in operative proximity for relative rotation, saidhour contact plate and the associated hour pattern mounting plateconstituting a pair of associated hour plates, said minute contact plateand the associated minute pattern mounting plate constituting a pair ofassociated minute plates, one of said hour plates and one of said minuteplates being mounted on said hour shaft and on said minute shaftrespectively, each of said pairs consisting of an active plate and of acontrol plate; means for applying a predetermined potential to aselected one of said conducting portions of said active hour plate andof said minute plate, said selected conducting portion being saidprimary portion when said active plate is said pattern mounting plate; aplurality of minute and hour lead-out conductors, connected to each ofthe remaining conducting portions of said active minute and hour platesrespectively; conducting means for forming substantially zero resistanceconnections among all of said conducting portions of each of saidcontrol plates, whereby rotation of said hour shaft and said minuteshaft causes, respectively, each of said hour and minute lead-outconductors to be alternately connected to and disconnected from saidpredetermined potential, in accordance with the pattern, respectively,of said hour and minute pattern mounting plates, the signals on saidhour and minute lead-out conductors constituting, respectively, saidcode signals for energizing said hour and minute indicator units. 2.Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control plates are therotating ones of said plates and said active plates are stationary. 3.Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said active plates are saidminute and hour pattern mounting plates and wherein said control platesare said minute and hour contact plates.
 4. Apparatus as set forth inclaim 3, wherein said plurality of indicator units comprises a first andsecond indicator unit for indicating, respectively, tens and ones ofhours, and a third and fourth indicator unit for indicating,respectively, tens and ones of minutes; wherein said minute and hourcontact plates each have a first and second side; wherein said contactscomprise a first and second plurality of minute and hour contactsrespectively, mounted on each of said first and second sides of saidminute and hour contact plates respectively; wherein said at least oneminute pattern mounting plate comprises a first and second minutepattern mounting plate mounted, respectively, opposite said first andsecond side of said minute contact plate, each of said minute patternmounting plates having said annular segmental conducting portions on theside facing said minute contact plate; wherein said at least one hourpattern mounting plate comprises a first and second hour patternmounting plate mounted, respectively, opposite said first and secondside of said hour contact plate, said first and second hour patternmounting plates having said annular segmental conducting portions on thesides facing said hour contact plate; and wherein said plurality oflead-out conductors comprises a first plurality of lead-out conductorsconnected to said first hour pattern mounting plate for furnishing saidcode signals for said first indicator unit, a second plurality oflead-out conductors connected to said second hour pattern mountIng platefor furnishing said code signals to said second indicator unit, a thirdplurality of lead-out conductors connected to said first minute patternmounting plate for furnishing said code signals for said third indicatorunit, and a fourth plurality of lead-out conductors connected to saidsecond minute pattern mounting plate for furnishing said code signalsfor said fourth indicator unit.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4,wherein said contact plates and said pattern mounting plates cooperatein such a manner that said first, second, third and fourth plurality oflead-out conductors each carry signals coded in a binary coded decimalcode.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of saidindicator units comprises a seven segment indicator adapted to receivecode signals in an n out of seven code and a code converter forreceiving said binary coded decimal signals and converting same to saidn out of seven code.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein saiddigital indication is from zero to 24 hours; wherein said means forrotating said minute shaft comprise means for rotating said minute shaftone revolution per hour; and wherein said means for rotating said hourshaft comprise means for rotating said hour shaft an angle of 15* onceevery hour.